The Portland daily press., 1887-10-08
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE IDEALS.


The Ideal Opera Company opened its sea-
son at City Hall last evening with Donizet-
trs tuneful Daughter of the Regiment
with Mile. Zelie de Lussan as Marie. From
the very moment that the graceful little
riudndtere appeared and her voice was heard
In the familiar I'm Camp and in Battle"
the memory of the old opera goers went back
thirty years to the time when the fascinating
little Piccolomini had all the golden youth
OF the tune at her feet, in the same role.
Both print donni were petite in figure, both
possessed the same mobile features, the
same chic, the same delightful, flexible So
prano voice so well adapted TO the fiorid mu-
sic of the composer, In American opera
companies of the present day there is no
singer who unites in herself more of all those
attributes that go to make name to be re-
membered in the annals of musical history
than Zelie de Lussan, and no one certainly
more fascinating both as actress and cqntG-
trice.
From the rise of the curtain on the first
act until the end Of the opera the audience
were IN sympathy with the performers. 1t
was the initial representation of the season.
as we have said, and while there was lacking
IN some respects the delightful smoothness
that characterzes frequent repetitiOns of an
opera, the thorough familiarity with the
cues, the prompt obedience ON the part of
principals, Choir uses and orchestra to the
patton OF the conductor, so that the disagree
aDie stamp OF his foot was occasionally
neard, and an occasional stiffness of move
meat, and nervousness, were perceptable.
stlll, as a whole, the performance was
worthy of high praise. The orchestra, in its
make up, was admirable, and the overture
was played with a care and finish that
earned for it round of applause. The OBJ
era was very prettily staged and costumed,
and the gown worn by Mile. de Lussan in
the second and third acts called forth the
admiration of the ladies.
Mile. de Lussan rendered all those favor
ite airs that fall to her share with spirit,
where spirit was required, and with much
ieeling and expression where pathos was
called Tor. Her duets with Tonic and Sui
plZl0 were characterized by both brilliancy
and expression. Perhaps the most winning
scene in the whole opera was that in the
second act where the young countess is COM
PEELED by her aunt, .the dignifed and pru-
gent marehloness, to perform her singing
lesson. But 1T was reserved for her render
ing OF Salute q la France" in the third act
TO fairly electrify her hearers. The house
resounded.with applause.
MI: Baxter, the new tenor, gave very good
satisfaction as Tonic. He acted with con-
slderal force, and his voice was fully equal
to the requirements Of this part, especially
In the upper register. 1t harmonized well
with that Of Mile. de Lussan, and, in addi-
piVh W nlo principal NUMBERS, he sang very
sweetly the little solo introduced by him in
the third act.
Mr.. Clark made an admirable Sergeant
Sulpizlo. He looked this part, he sang this |
part he acted this part The performance
was not only creditable to him. it was cred !
It to the company. Mr.. w. Herbert-who
made great reputation as Koko in the Mi
kado--was very amusing as Bruno. Miss
Avery was fair Warehouses, and Miss
Blake pert Babette, while Mr.. Myron was
good as the Corporal.
The principals were called before the cur
tain at the close of the first act. and the cur
tam was raised at the end Of the second. In
only one crse was an encore permitted.
The following will be the cast of the prin-
cipal characters in the Bohemian Girl" to
be sung at the matinee today:
Tvult AInheil "A. ID. Saxon
anduuchS- .CharleS M0dint
TloTSstlne. .....-...... Clement cambridge
w. Ill. clark
gypsy queen. ........... Helen Dudley Campbell |
Ainne..s.... Ida Klein
Tonight the opening of the course. "Adina. |
or the Elixir of Love-" will be given. Fol- |
lowing will be the cast of the principal char |
acters:
nemoI mo Frank Baxter |
DclcOTc w. III. Clark
DOctor Oulcdnldfa. w. Herbert |
nluhBo.. ....J. g. MirOn
Harriet Avery
<Aullld .Zelle DE IllSSau